US consulate in Karachi marks 250 years of American independence

The United States Consulate General in Karachi has hosted a reception marking 250 years of American independence, with speeches focused on growing trade, education and innovation links between the US and Pakistan.

Business Recorder and The Express Tribune reported that Consul General Charles Goodman led the event, while a photo caption from the Associated Press of Pakistan referred to "US Consul General Stetson Sanders."

Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah attended as chief guest and Sindh Governor Syed Nehal Hashmi was the guest of honour. The consulate said guests included officials from government, business, academia, civil society, media, the diplomatic corps and alumni of US exchange programmes.

The Freedom 250 reception was themed "The American Brand." Organisers said it showcased American innovation, enterprise and creativity, recalled the ideals of 4 July 1776, echoed President Donald Trump's emphasis on America's lasting principles, and reaffirmed Chargé d'Affaires Natalie Baker's message that a strong Pakistan benefits America and a strong America benefits Pakistan.

Goodman, as identified by the two outlets, said Sindh had been central to the partnership and that US commercial ties in the province were expanding. He was quoted as saying that lasting stability is built on economic prosperity and that the Karachi consulate team helps unlock potential across Sindh and Balochistan. He added that the US government supports more than 80 American firms operating in Pakistan and that two-way trade in goods and services surpassed $11 billion in the last year.

Governor Hashmi described the bilateral partnership as deep-rooted. He said contributing for his generation increasingly means knowledge, education, creativity and technology, and called for connecting American innovation with Pakistani talent, American universities with Pakistani students, and Karachi with the wider global economy.

Speaker Shah congratulated the United States on the anniversary and said the partnership had influenced Sindh through education, economic opportunity and cultural exchange. He said he was confident about deeper and sustainable collaboration.

Freedom 250 is a year-long campaign organised by US diplomatic missions worldwide to mark the 250th year since the signing of the US Declaration of Independence. President Trump launched the national commemoration under the banner "A New Era of American Greatness."